Shweta Keswani, a familiar face from iconic Indian television shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, and Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, has quietly built a different kind of life across the globe. In 2012, she tied the knot with lawyer Ken Andino and moved to the United States. While many might have expected her acting career to pause there, Shweta had other plans. Her passion for performance followed her, even if the path ahead was anything but simple.
Shweta never imagined that building a career in the West would be such a slow climb. Reflecting on her journey so far, she confessed that for South Asian actors, it’s rarely smooth. She put it plainly: “For South Asians, especially those trying to make it here, it’s always a hustle. It’s taken me 13 years to get to where I am today. Not everyone is lucky enough to have an agent like Priyanka Chopra or to get a quick breakthrough.”
Despite the challenges, Shweta has managed to carve a place for herself in the US entertainment industry. She has appeared in projects like The Heart Stays in 2019, As Sick As They Made Us in 2022, and Roar that same year. More recently, she featured in The Beanie Bubble in 2023. Now, she’s also taken on the role of executive producer for a short film titled Tabassum, where she continues to act as well.
Adjusting to acting in a new country, however, wasn’t just about finding work. It demanded a complete shift in how she approached her craft. Shweta shared that acting in India and the US are entirely different worlds. People often questioned her decision to enroll in acting classes after two decades in front of the camera. But for her, it was necessary. She explained, “The acting here is different. If I replicated my style from India, I wouldn’t book jobs. So, I’ve been training in acting under several teachers.”
Navigating Hollywood and other Western projects also meant dealing with typecasting. Shweta admitted that as an actor of Asian descent, the roles offered to her can sometimes feel limited and predictable. She mentioned that while she occasionally lands unique auditions, most often the parts follow a familiar pattern. She said her typical roles include playing an FBI agent, doctor, lawyer, web designer, or an idealistic Indian mother. To combat this, she’s worked on putting together a diverse demo reel that showcases her range. It’s her way of reminding casting directors she can be more than what the stereotypes suggest.
Although she’s embraced her life in the US, there’s a special corner of her heart reserved for the memories of Indian television sets. Shweta fondly recalled the easy camaraderie, the laughter, and the lively atmosphere she once shared with her cast and crew. She said, “I miss the camaraderie, the Indian-ness of it all, the banter, eating together; those moments were special. The people became family.”
As for a possible return to India’s entertainment scene, Shweta remains open, though with conditions. She said, “I’d love to do mini-series or short projects for OTT where I can complete the work in 15-20 days and return home. I can’t commit to the same monthly grind I did in television because I have a family here now.”
Shweta’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and finding new ways to stay connected to a lifelong passion while adapting to a different world.
